Man charged with head-butting officer

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A Blenheim man wanting release on bail refused legal help until a judge convinced him to talk to a lawyer.

Richard James Hayden, an unemployed 44-year-old, had been remanded in custody from the Blenheim court to make a bail application before a judge in Christchurch.

He has entered no pleas to charges of assaulting a police officer with intent to injure, assaulting a police officer with intent to obstruct them in the execution of their duty, disorderly behaviour, and breach of a public liquor ban.

When he first appeared in Christchurch, duty lawyer Moana Cole asked leave to withdraw from the case because Hayden had decided he wanted to represent himself in court.

Hayden said he had refused help from the Public Defenders Service lawyer because she had no knowledge of the case and could not help him.

Judge Garland told him the charges were serious and it would be in his best interests to have legal representation.

Police opposed bail, alleging that Hayden had been intoxicated and had head-butted one of the officers who approached him, causing an nosebleed.

Cole said Hayden asked to be released on bail to live with his mother in Spreydon, Christchurch, under strict conditions, and he said he wanted to work in the city.

Judge Garland granted bail with conditions that Hayden live with his mother, abide by a night time curfew, report to the police, and not consume alcohol or enter licensed premises.

He will also have to submit to breath-screening tests for alcohol as the police require, and he is not allowed to return to Blenheim.

He is now remanded to appear at the District Court session in Christchurch, on January 11.